There will be no more mechanical dashboard buttons in the Nissan Ariya

MANILA: The all-new Nissan Ariya electric crossover features the next generation of haptic controls. This ergonomic feature not only provides efficiency and convenience but also provides a clean and minimalist dashboard design.

 The Ariya’s interior was styled to be an open cabin that offers a sense of serenity. Part of this design is the elimination of traditional buttons on the dashboard. Instead, it features an elegant wood-grained trim crossing the dashboard which comes to life upon starting the Ariya, illuminating a set of environmental controls. The use of this new generation of haptic feedback controls ushers in new possibilities in the relationship between function and design.

Just like how people interact with a smartphone display to navigate through apps, the haptic feedback buttons in the Ariya react to touch and communicate through fingertip vibrations. The points of interaction are felt and heard, making the driver remain focused on the road. According to the design team, they have integrated haptic feedback into the Ariya as this electric vehicle features an underlying concept of “Timeless Japanese Futurism,” which conveys a simple yet powerfully modern impression.

In a statement, Nissan Senior Designer Hideki Tago said, “We created a clean space by blending the haptic controls with the grain of the interior's wood-grain finish. We did this in a way that didn't affect the performance of the controls, allowing us to achieve both functionality and an attractive appearance.”

The Ariya design team applied a wood-grain pattern to the plastic panels through a hydro-printing process to give them a wood-like appearance. This method also allowed the transparent icons to be activated when illuminated.

The Ariya features two sets of haptic feedback buttons—one on the main dashboard and another on the adjustable center armrest.

The electrostatic buttons are not only bigger than traditional haptic controls, but also more broadly spaced. This design produces a kind of air pressure “kick” that amplifies the tactile feedback with the click sensation of a traditional mechanical button.

The vibrations and sounds produced by the haptic feedback buttons were also fine-tuned by the Ariya engineering team. “Vibration and sound are inseparable,” Ariya Interior HMI Development Engineer Tomokata Igarashi stated. “It may seem obvious, but this challenged our team to develop a unique sound that would match the expectations of the driver while also designing it to be as pleasant as possible.”

The development of the haptic controls required repetitive tests in every possible scenario to ensure that it will be easy to use for different kinds of drivers. It was tested by people with different finger sizes and fingernail lengths, and with different pressure strengths and engagement angles. It was also tested with gloved hands to ensure button activation.

The integration of the haptic controls proves that design and function have been woven into the Ariya to deliver a unique driving experience.

Photos from Nissan

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